Best Colleges for Music & Performing Arts in 2025–26

30 colleges with strong music & performing arts programs, ranked by size and selectivity.

Full Sail University

Winter Park, FL

$26,906 in-state

California State University-Fresno

Fresno, CA

95.3% acceptance$7,350 in-state

Santa Monica College

Santa Monica, CA

$1,156 in-state

James Madison University

Harrisonburg, VA

71.5% acceptance$14,250 in-state

University of Louisville

Louisville, KY

79.4% acceptance$13,136 in-state

West Chester University of Pennsylvania

West Chester, PA

78.4% acceptance$10,775 in-state

Western Washington University

Bellingham, WA

93.3% acceptance$9,582 in-state

Wichita State University

Wichita, KS

94% acceptance$9,684 in-state

University of Southern Mississippi

Hattiesburg, MS

99.1% acceptance$9,998 in-state

Central Michigan University

Mount Pleasant, MI

89.8% acceptance$14,760 in-state

East Texas A&M University

Commerce, TX

92.2% acceptance$10,026 in-state

Southeastern Louisiana University

Hammond, LA

99.3% acceptance$8,373 in-state

Tyler Junior College

Tyler, TX

$2,400 in-state

Stephen F Austin State University

Nacogdoches, TX

94% acceptance$11,128 in-state

California Baptist University

Riverside, CA

84.9% acceptance$41,228 in-state

Central Washington University

Ellensburg, WA

90.6% acceptance$9,417 in-state

University of Northern Iowa

Cedar Falls, IA

92.7% acceptance$9,936 in-state

University of West Georgia

Carrollton, GA

51.6% acceptance$6,088 in-state

Pennsylvania Western University

California, PA

94.3% acceptance$11,436 in-state

State University of New York at New Paltz

New Paltz, NY

61.6% acceptance$8,572 in-state

Radford University

Radford, VA

89.5% acceptance$12,548 in-state

Georgia College & State University

Milledgeville, GA

78.2% acceptance$9,186 in-state

University of Central Missouri

Warrensburg, MO

63.8% acceptance$10,050 in-state

Monterey Peninsula College

Monterey, CA

$1,188 in-state

University of Northern Colorado

Greeley, CO

85.9% acceptance$12,416 in-state

Los Angeles Film School

Hollywood, CA

University of South Dakota

Vermillion, SD

98.8% acceptance$9,432 in-state

Columbia College Chicago

Chicago, IL

89.5% acceptance$34,088 in-state

Volunteer State Community College

Gallatin, TN

$4,756 in-state

Morehead State University

Morehead, KY

77.2% acceptance$10,024 in-state

About music & performing arts as a major

A music degree comes in two very different flavors. Conservatory programs (Juilliard, New England Conservatory, Curtis, Manhattan School of Music, Eastman, Cleveland Institute) are intensive performance-track programs admitting through audition — graduates compete for professional orchestra seats, opera company contracts, or independent solo careers. University music degrees (BA in Music or BM at a research university with a music school) provide broader academic context and lead to teaching, music industry administration, music journalism, or graduate study. Music technology programs (Berklee College of Music, NYU, USC) prepare students for music production, audio engineering, film scoring, and game audio. The performance career path is notoriously hard — fewer than 10% of conservatory graduates sustain full-time performance careers without supplementary work — but music education, music therapy, music production, and arts administration provide stable career options.

Salary range

$40,000 – $55,000 starting in music education and arts administration; $50,000-$80,000 mid-career music producers; orchestra principal players $80,000-$150,000+; star performers and producers earn much more

Study path

4-year BM (Bachelor of Music, professional/conservatory) or BA in Music (academic). Core: applied lessons in primary instrument → music theory → ear training → music history → ensemble participation each semester → senior recital. Music education adds student teaching; music production adds DAW/recording courses.

How to choose a music & performing arts program

Auditions are typically required. Consider the difference between conservatory programs (intensive performance focus, often 7+ hours daily of practice) and university music departments (broader liberal arts context, more flexible curriculum). Look for faculty who are active performers in your specialty — your private studio teacher (1-on-1 lessons) is the most important relationship of your music school career. Quality practice facilities, performance opportunities (multiple ensembles, regular recitals), and recording facilities matter. For music education students, look for programs with strong student-teaching partnerships in local K-12 districts. For music production/audio engineering, prioritize industry equipment access (recording studios, audio mixing rooms), industry guest faculty, and music industry city proximity (Nashville, LA, NYC, Atlanta).

Common career paths for music & performing arts graduates

Professional Musician, Music Teacher, Music Producer, Sound Engineer, Arts Administrator, Music Therapist, Composer, Film/Game Composer, Music Journalist, Orchestra/Choir Conductor, Music Director, Recording Engineer

Real careers, real salaries

See all →
Musician / Music Producer$39K
+2% by 2032

Scholarships for music & performing arts students

There are scholarships specifically for students studying music & performing arts. Search our database to find awards you qualify for.

Find music & performing arts scholarships →
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Last updated: November 2025. Live acceptance rates and tuition pulled from each college's most recent reporting.

KidToCollege is free to use and editorially independent. Data sourced from public records including IPEDS, Common Data Sets, College Board and FAFSA.gov. Always verify deadlines and requirements directly with institutions. Not a guarantee of admission or financial aid.